System and method for locating providers over the internet on short notice

ABSTRACT

A system for allowing members or prospective members to simultaneously contact multiple providers to secure an appointment on short notice. The system also enables the provider to view or obtain requests for appointments from members who the provider may not have previously met and/or served. The system further enables a facilitator  304  to monitor the communication exchanges between members and providers and to intervene directly if needed. The system includes a web application, a provider network, facilitator, a database server, a web server, and a database. The web application includes a web site that facilitates interaction between members, providers, the facilitator and the system. The web site also includes a list of common medical terms, phrases, and pharmaceuticals that are cross-referenced in multiple languages. The provider network processes information provided by users of the system and the database stores information processed in the system.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/163,065, filed on Nov. 2, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for locating information onthe Internet, and more particularly, to a system and method for locatingproviders and/or products on short notice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in computer processing power and network communications havemade information from a wide variety of sources available to users oncomputer networks. Computer networking allows network computer users toshare information, software applications and hardware devices andinternetworking enables a set of physical networks to be connected intoa single network such as the Internet. Today, computers connected to theInternet have almost instant access to information stored in relativelydistant regions. Moreover, computers connected to networks other thanthe Internet also have access to information stored on those networks.The World Wide Web (Web), a hypermedia system used on the Internet,enables hypertext linking, whereby documents automatically reference orlink other documents located on connected computer networks around theworld. Thus, users connected to the Internet have almost instant accessto information stored in relatively distant regions.

A page of information on the Web may include references to other Webpages and may include a broad range of multimedia data includingtextual, graphical, audio, and animation information. Currently,Internet users retrieve information from the Internet, through the Web,by ‘visiting’ a web site on a computer that is connected to theInternet.

The web site is, in general terms, a server application that displaysinformation stored on a network server computer. The web site acceptsconnections from client programs, such as Internet browser applications.Browser applications, such as Microsoft Explorer™ or Netscape InternetBrowser™, allow Internet users to access information displayed on theweb site. Most browser applications display information on computerscreens and permit a user to navigate through the Web using a mouse.Like other network applications, Web browsing uses the client-serverparadigm where state is maintained as an adjunct to the HTTP protocol.When given the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a document, the browserapplication becomes a client and it contacts a server applicationspecified in the URL to request the document. After receiving thedocument from the server application, the browser application displaysthe document for the user. When the browser application interacts withthe server application, the two applications follow the Hyper-TextTransport Protocol (HTTP). HTTP allows the browser application torequest a specific article, which the server application then returns.To ensure that browser applications and server applicationsinter-operate unambiguously, HTTP defines the exact format for requestssent from the browser application to the server application as well asthe format of replies that the server application returns.

As the number of physical networks connected to the Internet continuesto grow, so too will the number of web sites that are accessible toInternet users and so too will commercial and other activity on theInternet. Providers of products and/or services use the Internet tooffer better and faster services to members. For example, providers ofhealth insurance enable their members to use the Internet to findmedical providers within a specified geography area. Upon finding thedesired medical provider, the member may sign up or set an appointmentwith the provider by traditional means, such as a telephone call, orthrough the Internet. Most medical providers schedule appointments inadvance. Therefore, this method of finding medical providers is adequatefor normal appointment scheduling. However, members who need to make anappointment on short notice may have a harder time finding a providerusing this method. When the member obtains a list of providers within aspecified area, the member has no way of determining which providershave opening slots in their schedule. The problem of finding a provideron short notice is even more acute for members who are outside of theirnormal provider network or in a distant and/or unfamiliar city.Moreover, for members travelling internationally, there may becommunication problems with providers who speak different languages.

Additionally, if a provider schedule opens up, for example throughcancellation, the provider has no way of filling an appointment slot byfinding members who are seeking appointments on short notice. What isneeded, therefore, is a system and method for enabling members andproviders to obtain appointments on short notice. The system must alsofacilitate communications between members and providers speakingdifferent languages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for quickly andconveniently using the Internet to locate information onelectronically-linked groups of providers. The system includes a globaldatabase of on-line professionals and uses e-mail, transmissions on theWeb, and/or fax communications to simultaneously contact multipleproviders to schedule an appointment for a member.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system for allowingmembers or prospective members to simultaneously contact multipleproviders to secure an appointment on short notice. The system alsoenables the provider to view or obtain requests for appointments frommembers who the provider may not have previously met and/or served.

It is another object of the invention to enable a facilitator to monitorcommunications exchanges between members and providers and to intervenedirectly if needed. The facilitator provides the means for the exchangeto occur between the provider and the member and maintains informationin the system.

It is another object of the invention to include a web application, aprovider network, a facilitator, a database server, a web server, and adatabase. The web application includes a web site that facilitatessystem interaction. The provider network processes information providedby users of the system and the database stores information processed inthe system. The database server maintains the database, as well assupplementary information that is necessary to run the system.

It is another object of the invention to allow the member to specify ageographic location and other required criteria.

It is another object of the invention for the provider network toprovide, upon request from the member, a list of providers that meet thespecified criteria, identify each provider's proximity to the member'slocation and to provide biographical information of each provider.

It is another object of the invention to allow the member to selectmultiple providers from the list and submit the list of selectedproviders to the system.

It is another object of the invention for the provider network togenerate a notification for each selected provider in order for theprovider to respond to the requested appointment.

It is another object of the invention to communicate providers'responses to the member so that the member can confirm the appointment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide different types ofaccess with different rates to the system to members based on members'travelling frequency. The travelling member may purchase access to thesystem through appropriate agents, such as travel agents, hotels, andrental car companies and through a corresponding on-line web site.Additionally, the travelling member may purchase access in advance at adiscount instead of at a premium rate on an as-needed basis during atrip.

It is another object of the system to allow members and participatingproviders to access the web site from a variety of platforms, browsers,and modems. Moreover, members and/or participating providers withoutaccess to computers or the web may access the system through a telephonecalling service.

It is another object of the invention to provide different types ofprivileges for accessing data and different modes of operation andassociated functionality to different levels of members. Members at alllevels may access the system through an on-line web site, e-mail,telephone calls, faxes and/or other means.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system fortranslating commonly used medical phrases and popular prescription drugsbetween multiple languages. The system may also translate prescriptiondrugs into appropriate dosage and brand names as they may appear indifferent locations.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby the system particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the presentinvention provides a system for allowing users to simultaneously contactmultiple providers to secure an appointment on short notice, the systemcomprising: a facilitator that sets up, mediates, and monitorscommunications between the providers and the users and intervenesdirectly if needed; a web application that includes a web site forfacilitating interaction with the system; a provider network forprocessing information provided by users of the system; and a storagedevice for storing information processed by the system.

The invention also provides a method for enabling a user tosimultaneously contact multiple providers to secure an appointment onshort notice, the method comprising the steps of: entering, by the user,at least one required criterion on a system web site; determining, bythe system, each provider within a specified area that meets therequired criterion and identifying each provider's proximity to theuser's location; providing, by the system, a list of providers to theuser; selecting, by the user, multiple providers from the list andsubmitting the selected multiple providers to the system; notifying, bythe system, the selected providers; responding to the notification byeach selected provider; displaying to the user, by the system, theresponses from each selected provider; confirming, by the user, oneresponse with one selected provider; and notifying, by the system, thoseproviders whose responses were not accepted by the user.

The invention also provides a method for enabling a facilitator tomediate communication exchanges between users and providers of a systemthat allows the users to simultaneously contact multiple providers tosecure an appointment on short notice, the method comprising the stepsof: allowing the facilitator to view exchanges and histories ofexchanges between users and providers; contacting the facilitator, by auser, to specify at least one required criterion for selecting aprovider; determining, by the facilitator, each provider within aspecified area that meets the at least one required criterion,identifying each provider's proximity to the user's location andproviding a list of providers to the user; selecting, by the user,multiple providers from the list and submitting the selected multipleproviders to the facilitator; notifying, by the facilitator, theselected multiple providers; responding, by the provider, to thenotification; communicating, by the facilitator, the responses to theuser; confirming, by the user, one response with one selected provider;and notifying, by the facilitator, those providers whose responses werenot accepted by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention thattogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer network in which the inventive informationsystem may be incorporated;

FIG. 2 illustrates the TCP/IP Layering Model Protocol used duringcommunications between components on the computer network;

FIG. 3 illustrates an inventive web-enabled information system forallowing remote access to an appointment scheduling system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a main system menu which contains hyperlinks to othermenus in the information system; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the steps implemented by the inventive system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The present invention described below extends thefunctionality of the inventive system and method for locating providersover the Internet on short notice.

FIG. 1 is an example of a local area network (LAN) 100 that isconfigured to utilize a non-repudiation protocol. LAN 100 comprises aserver 102, four computer systems 104–110, and peripherals, such asprinters and other devices 112, that may be shared by components on LAN100. Computer systems 104–110 may serve as clients for server 102 and/oras clients and/or servers for each other and/or for other componentsconnected to LAN 100. Components on LAN 100 are preferably connectedtogether by cable media, for example copper or fiber-optic cable and thenetwork topology may be a token ring topology 114. It should be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art that other media, for example,wireless media, such as optical and radio frequency, may also connectLAN 100 components. It should also be apparent that other networktopologies, such as Ethernet, may be used.

Data may be transferred between components on LAN 100 in packets, i.e.,blocks of data that are individually transmitted over LAN 100. Routers120, 122 create an expanded network by connecting LAN 100 to othercomputer networks, such as the Internet, other LANs or Wide AreaNetworks (WAN). Routers are hardware devices that may include aconventional processor, memory, and separate I/O interface for eachnetwork to which it connects. Hence, components on the expanded networkmay share information and services with each other. In order forcommunications to occur between components of physically connectednetworks, all components on the expanded network and the routers thatconnect them must adhere to a standard protocol. Computer networksconnected to the Internet and to other networks typically use TCP/IPLayering Model Protocol. It should be noted that other internetworkingprotocols may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, TCP/IP Layering Model comprises an applicationlayer or (Layer 5) 202, a transport layer or (Layer 4) 204, an Internetlayer or (Layer 3) 206, a network interface layer or (Layer 2) 208, anda physical layer or (Layer 1) 210. Application layer protocols 202specify how each software application connected to the network uses thenetwork. Transport layer protocols 204 specify how to ensure reliabletransfer among complex protocols. Internet layer protocols 206 specifythe format of packets sent across the network as well as mechanisms usedto forward packets from a computer through one or more routers to afinal destination. Network interface layer protocols 208 specify how toorganize data into frames and how a computer transmits frames over thenetwork. Physical layer protocols 210 correspond to the basic networkhardware. By using TCP/IP Layering model protocols, any componentconnected to the network can communicate with any other componentconnected directly or indirectly to one of the attached networks.

FIG. 3 illustrates to a system 300 for allowing members or prospectivemembers to simultaneously contact multiple providers to secure anappointment on short notice. System 300 also enables the provider toview or obtain requests for appointments from members who the providermay not have previously met and/or served. System 300 further enables afacilitator 304 to monitor the communication exchanges between membersand providers and to intervene directly if needed. Facilitator 304 is abody that sets up and mediates all communications between members andproviders. Facilitator 304 provides the means for the exchange to occurbetween the provider and the member and maintains information in system300.

System 300 includes a web application 302, a provider network 312,facilitator 304, a database server 308, a web server 310, and a database306. The web application 302 includes a web site that facilitatesinteraction between members, providers, facilitator 304 and system 300.The web site also includes a list of common medical terms, phrases, andpharmaceuticals that are cross-referenced in multiple languages.Pharmaceuticals are often manufactured under different names indifferent countries. Thus, the web site facilitates communicationsbetween members who are travelling internationally and providers ininternational countries. System 300 also facilitates communications bycross-referencing common terms and phrases. For example, if a member whodoes not speak Japanese has a toothache in Japan, the member may findthe Japanese word for toothache on the web site in order to communicatewith a provider and obtain care in Japan. Provider network 312 processesinformation provided by users of system 300 and database 306 storesinformation processed in system 300. Database 306 includes informationabout members, providers, insurance products and medical cases processedby system 300. Database server 308 maintains database 306 as well assupplemental information, which is necessary to run the informationsystem. An example of a database server used in the inventive system isa Windows NT™ Server system running Oracle Workgroup Server™ in aclient-server mode of operation. The web server converts all HTTP-basedrequests addressed to the system to native commands for processing bythe database server and uses information gathered from the server todynamically generate HTML pages in response to the requests. The Webapplication may be based on a web application software, such as OracleWeb Application Server™ software, currently installed on the same servercomputer as the database server or other computer on the network.

System 300 provides different types of access with different rates tomembers based on predetermined criteria, such as the members' travellingfrequency. The travelling member may purchase access to system 300through appropriate agents, such as travel agents, hotels, and rentalcar companies and/or through a corresponding on-line web site.Additionally, the travelling member may purchase access in advance at adiscount instead of at a premium rate on an as-needed basis during atrip. System 300 also provides different types of privileges foraccessing data and different modes of operations and associatedfunctionality to different levels of members. Members at all levels mayaccess system 300 through an on-line web site, e-mail, telephone calls,faxes and/or other means.

Specifically in a preferred embodiment of the invention, when a membervisits the web site, the member specifies a geographic location andother required criteria. For example, the member may specify what kindof specialist is required, the language that the member speaks, the dateand time or range of times when an appointment is desired, or if thefirst available appointment is desired. System 300 uses a geo-locatortool to determine the longitude and latitude of each provider within aspecified area. Provider network 312 provides a list of providers thatmeet the specified criteria and identifies each provider's proximity tothe member's location. Additionally, provider network 312 providesbiographical information of each provider. For example, provider network312 provides the school(s) attended by each provider and professionalaccreditation and affiliation(s) of each provider. As is obvious to oneskilled in the art, other information may be displayed, and are withinthe scope of the present invention.

Upon viewing the list of providers, including the location andbiographical information for each provider, the member may selectmultiple providers from the list. The member submits a list of selectedproviders to system 300 and provider network 312 uses unique identifiersassigned to each provider to generate an e-mail message or a faxnotification for each provider. As is apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art, other notification means may be used, and are within thescope of the present invention. System 300 transmits the notification tothe provider's office. Upon receipt of the notification, the providermay visit the web site, enter an authentication code and respond to therequested appointment. For example, the provider may visit the web site,enter a user name and password, and offer an appointment for a specificdate and time. Alternatively, the provider may fax a response tofacilitator 304. The responses from the providers are stored in database306 and at a predetermined time, provider network 312 collates theresponses and forwards them to the member. Alternatively, providernetwork 312 collates the responses and at a later time when the memberlogs into the system with a username and password, the member is shown alist of all responses. Alternatively, provider network 312 may forwardresponses, through e-mail messages to the member, as the responses areentered into the system. The member may confirm a response from aprovider directly with the provider's office or respond via clicking ona button, in system 300, that is associated with the provider'sresponse. Those providers' whose responses are not accepted by themember are notified by system 300. If the member accepts a responsethrough system 300, the provider may confirm the appointment through thesystem, by sending a message to the member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, facilitator 304 isinterested in ensuring that requests are answered in a timely fashion.Thus, facilitator 304 is allowed to view exchanges and histories ofexchanges between members and providers. Specifically, facilitator, 304checks that each request has been processed within a certain period oftime. If a request has not been processed, an alert status is issued toa monitoring group and a member of the monitoring group directlyintervenes by calling providers to set up an appointment or by callingthe member and asking if the member wants to choose another set ofproviders.

In an alternate embodiment, the member seeking an appointment contactsfacilitator 304 directly. The member specifies the requirements for thespecialist. Facilitator 304 uses system 300 to obtain a list ofproviders that meet the specified criteria and identifies eachprovider's proximity to the member's location. The member selectsproviders from the list and facilitator 304 sends a notification to eachselected provider. Upon receipt of the notification, the provider mayvisit the web site or contact facilitator 304 to respond to therequested appointment. Facilitator 304 communicates the response to themember. The member may confirm a response from a provider directly withthe provider's office or through facilitator 304. Facilitator 304notifies those providers whose responses are not accepted by the member.

Additionally, if appointment times become available for a provider, dueto cancellation, for example, the provider may log into system 300 andenter the available appointment times. Thereafter, when a member logsinto system 300, the member may view all providers with appointmentsavailable at a desired time. The member is also shown a list ofproviders without open appointments. The member selects a list ofproviders, with or without open appointments, and submits the list tosystem 300. It should be noted that it is more likely that the memberwill select providers with open appointment slots than those without.Provider network 312 generates a notification for each selectedprovider. System 300 transmits the notification to the provider'soffice. Upon receipt of the notification, the provider responds to therequested appointment. The responses from the providers are presented tothe member. The member confirms a response from a provider and thoseproviders' whose responses are not accepted by the member are notifiedby system 300. If the member accepts a response through system 300, theprovider may confirm the appointment through system 300, by sending amessage to the member.

Alternatively, when the provider enters available appointment times,system 300 may provide a list of members seeking appointments at thattime. The provider may then contact the member to schedule anappointment time.

FIG. 4 illustrates a main menu for the inventive system. System isaccessible through the main page on the Web by typing associated UniformResource Locator (URL). The URL connects a client browser to a hostsystem through a default port of the web server. If confidentialinformation is being transmitted between the client browser and the hostsystem, a different port may be used so that the session may be heldover secure Internet protocol, such as SSL. Upon accessing the mainpage, the users may navigate through system 300 by using hyper links toother pages. Active components of the information system are organizedaround a highway metaphor, whereby signs lead to correspondingfunctionality according to the steps of the entire process. Members mayinteract with system 300 by browsing for information stored in thesystem, by entering new information into the system and by updatinginformation in the system.

Prior to using system 300, the provider must register with the system.Registration is a multiple step procedure, which requires the providerto first register a practice and then to register individual providersin the medical practice. Registration of the practice enables forwardregistration of practices for future partnerships. Information suppliedduring registration of the practice includes basic information about thepractice, address information and optional registration of multipleoffices. Facilitator 304 performs activation of the registered practiceafter predefined contract agreements are ratified. Practices may also beset up non-electronically by the facilitator 304.

An individual provider web page is used for registration of individualproviders within system 300. The individual provider web page provides adetailed form for individual provider registration and includesprofessional information, office information and contact information.Facilitator 304 performs activation of registered providers afterchecking the correctness of the information supplied in the individualproviders web page and after validating relationships for providerswithin the respective practice. Individual providers may also registernon-electronically. As is obvious, all registration information may beupdated through system 300 at a later date.

FIG. 5 illustrates the steps implemented in the present invention. InStep 5010, the providers register with system 300. In Step 5020, amember visits the web site and specifies a geographic location and otherrequired criteria. In Step 5030, system 300 uses a geo-locator tool todetermine the longitude and latitude of each provider within a specifiedlocation. In Step 5040, provider network 312 provides a list ofproviders that meet specified criteria and identifies each provider'sproximity to the member's location. In Step 5050, upon viewing the listof providers, the member may select multiple providers from the list andsubmit the list of selected providers to system 300. In Step 5060,provider network 312 uses unique identifiers assigned to each providerto generate a notification for each provider and system 300 transmitsthe notification to the provider's office. In Step 5070, upon receipt ofthe notification, the provider responds to the requested appointment. InStep 5080, the member is notified of the responses. In Step 5090, themember may confirm a response from a provider and those providers whoseresponses are not accepted by the member are notified.

The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments ofthis invention. It will be apparent, however, that other variations andmodifications may be made to the described embodiments, with theattainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is theobject of the appended claims to cover all such variations andmodifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for enabling a user to simultaneously contact a multitude ofproviders to secure an appointment on short notice, the methodcomprising the steps of: entering, by the user, at least one userdefined criterion on a system web site; determining, by the system, afirst plurality of providers within a specified area using the at leastone criterion, the at least one criterion being common to the firstplurality of providers; providing, by the system, a list of the firstplurality of providers to the user; selecting, by the user, a secondplurality, of providers from the list of the first plurality ofproviders and submitting a list of the second plurality of providers tothe system; generating a notification, by the system, to the secondplurality of providers; monitoring a response, by a monitoring group, tothe notification by each of the second plurality of providers to form aplurality of responses, including monitoring that the response isgenerated within a predefined time period and directly intervening ifthe response is not generated within the predefined time period;generating the response by each of the second plurality of providers soas to form the plurality of responses; displaying to the user, by thesystem, the plurality of responses from each of the second plurality ofproviders; generating a confirmation to one of the plurality ofresponses to secure the appointment, by the user, and sending theconfirmation to the provider associated with the one of the plurality ofresponses; notifying, by the system, to a third plurality of providersfor excluding the third plurality of providers from the appointment, thethird plurality of providers being providers that did not receive theconfirmation by the user, the method further comprising the steps of:entering, by the user, at least one user selected time criterion;allowing a provider having at least one available appointment time tospecify the at least one available appointment time in the system; anddisplaying the at least one available appointment time to the user thatmeets the at least one user selected time criterion when the user visitsthe web site.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has a locationand the method further comprises determining for each of the firstplurality of providers a proximity relative to the location of the user,wherein determining a proximity includes the step of using a geo-locatortool to determine a longitude and latitude of each of the firstplurality of providers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofproviding a list of the first plurality of providers comprises the stepof providing biographical information for each-of the first plurality ofproviders.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating anotification comprises the step of using unique identifiers assigned toeach of the second plurality of providers to generate the notificationfor each of the second plurality of providers.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of generating a notification comprises the step ofsending an e-mail message to each. of the second plurality of providers.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a notificationcomprises the step of sending a fax message to each of the secondplurality of providers.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofgenerating a response comprises the step of visiting the web site,entering an authentication code and responding to an appointment requestby the user.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying tothe user comprises the steps of collating the plurality of responses bythe system and forwarding the collated plurality of responses to theuser.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying to theuser comprises the steps of collating the plurality of responses by thesystem and showing the collated plurality of responses to the user whenthe user logs in to the web site at a later time.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of displaying to the user comprises the stepof forwarding e-mail messages with the plurality of responses to theuser.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating aconfirmation comprises the step of confirming the one of the pluralityof responses directly with the provider associated with the one of theplurality of responses.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofgenerating a confirmation comprises the step of clicking on a button, onthe web site, that is associated with the one response.
 13. A method forenabling a facilitator to mediate communication exchanges between a userand a plurality of providers in a system that allows the user tosimultaneously contact the plurality of providers to request anappointment on short notice, the method comprising the steps of:allowing the facilitator to view exchanges and histories of exchangesbetween users and providers, including checking, by the system, thateach request has been processed within a predefined period of time,issuing a request to a monitoring group if the request has not beenprocessed within the predefined period of time and intervening to set upthe appointment, by the monitoring group; contacting the facilitator, bythe user, to specify at least one criterion for selecting the pluralityof providers; determining, by the facilitator, each of the plurality ofproviders within a specified area that meets the at least one criterion,identifying each provider's proximity to the user's location andproviding a list of the plurality of providers to the user; selecting,by the user, multiple providers from the list and submitting theselected multiple providers to the facilitator; notifying, by thefacilitator, the selected multiple providers; responding, by theprovider, to the notification; communicating, by the facilitator, theresponses to the user; confirming, by the user, one response with oneselected provider; and notifying, by the facilitator, those providerswhose responses were not accepted by the user; the method furthercomprising the steps of: entering, by the user, at least one userselected time criterion; allowing a provider having at least oneavailable appointment time to specify the at least one availableappointment time in the system; and communicating by the facilitator,the at least one available appointment time to the user that meets theat least one user selected time criterion.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the step of responding comprises the step of faxing a responseto a facilitator.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the determining,by the facilitator, each provider includes the criterion being userdefined and common to each provider determined.